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'Bling Bandit' Suspect Held

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The Associated Press

Published: August 30, 2008

NEW YORK - A highly respected retired NYPD detective with inoperable liver cancer was charged with bank robbery Friday after authorities identified him as the Bling Bandit, suspected of pulling off nine heists while wearing a flashy watch and ring.

Athelson Kelson, 59, was scheduled to be arraigned later Friday in connection with a robbery at a Queens bank July 10.

He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the robbery.

Judge Elisa Koenderman ordered Kelson be held and undergo a psychiatric evaluation. His next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 12.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Kelson - a former member of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and recipient of a Purple Heart during the Vietnam War - was terminally ill with cancer.

The police commissioner said bank employees picked Kelson out of a police lineup in four of the robberies that have occurred in Queens and Long Island during the past 2 1/2 months.
Kelson surrendered Thursday to authorities and hasn't made any statements to police, Kelly said.

The robbery string began June 12, and the most recent heist was Tuesday.

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